System and apparatus for submarine signaling



June 29, 1937. R. L. WILLIAMS 2,035,055

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SUBMARINE SIGNALING Original Filed Sept. 12, 1927 INVENTOR 05547 4. Mum/vs Patented June 29, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT QFF1QE SYSTEM AND SIGNALING Robert Longfellow Williams, New

signor to Submarine Signal Company,

Mass, a corporation of Maine 3i), 1932, Serial No. 626,559

3 Claims.

provided in which no amplification need be employed to operate the indicator. I have found that the relay type of sound receiver is extremely well suited to receive an impact type of sound signal and that the combination of this type of sound receiver with an impact sound producer in a depth sounding system is particula ly eiIective if the relay receiver be adequately insulated from direct operation by the impact by transmission of the latter through the structures of the vessel in which the apparatus is placed. This is of particular advantage in depth sounding systerns since it will be appreciated that in order to measure shallow depths by the aid of the time oftravel method it is essential to keep the receiving apparatus in sensitive and receiving condition practically all the time.

In the embodiment described in the following part of the specification, particular reference is had to the drawing in which Fig. 1 shows somewhat diagrammatically the system employing my invention; Fig. 2 shows the type of receiver which is preferably used; Fig. 3 illustrates the detail of the sending apparatus; and Fig. 4 shows a. modification employing a somewhat different receiving andindicating system than shown in the other figure As indicated in Fig. 1, the apparatus is installed upon a vessel M], which may be considered as floating upon the water or immersed therein. The sound producer l is immersed in a tank 4!, filled with water, and likewise the sound receivers 5 and 6, which are immersed in the water filled tank 2|.

In Fig. 1 the sounder the contacts which in this case is a battery. At the same time, either the receiver 5 or 6 may be connected switch I, by throwing the blade to the right or left, to the-indicating device through 55 the transformer 8, the output or which is reprethe sound is emitted as an impact by l at times when the cam 3 closes d, A through the energizing source 2,

APPARATUS FOR SUBMARINE ton, Mass, as-

Boston,

Original application September 12, 1927, Serial Divided and this application July sented as connected to the slip rings 8 and Ill by means of the brushes II and I2, respectively.

In the operation of the system, left in a position connecting one that the receiving system is to the indicator so always operating.

the switch 1 is of the receivers It is often found that certain conditions cause one of the receiving sensitive than the other,

units to be more or less depending upon the position of the unit in the tank and on its previous operation by signals and noises. In the present instance,

therefore, the operator is provided with two units either of which may be selected that is most suitable at the times the observations are being made.

It is also, of course.

evident that with two units available an additional security is provided in the event that one should fail.

The signal emitted travels to the reflecting surface or object and is returned as an echo or otherwise to the receiving system.

In the entire system where distances are measured the elements 3, 9 and the flashing indicator l4 behind the units desired to be measured.

on the shaft Ill, together with IS, rotates synchronously the transparent scale IS The signal being emitted at the some point on the ment on the scale 15 The device preferably employed in the present system is an impact detail.

hammer It, by means Here the energy is impa striker shown in Fi 3 in rted toastrlking draws the hammer it against a. powerful spring l8, thereby compressing contacts 4, 4 are opened, and the spring forces against the diaphragm the latter. When the the hammer is released it with a powerful I9, which emits an impact sound of great intensity.

The powe rful thrust of the hammer l8 must be balanced by the casing 20, supporting the diaphragm. The pull on up by the supporting structure the sounding mecha of the vessel,

this reason the. casing in turn is taken which supports sm. If this structure were or the sound. energy due and frame.

impact energy from the sound emitter but also changes its characteristics with regard to that the receivers are from this source of also supported by the disturbance.

frequency and the like so practically sound insulated The sounder is rods ll to prevent any side- .0 in Fig. 4

marked 25, 26, 21, 28, 29 and 30 would be ex- 2i, and through the tank frame 21, through the tank water to the receivers, avoided.

The results gained by this method of sound insulation of the sound emitter substantiate the theory discussed above and make it possible to use a relay type of receiver, as will be explained later, with a sou nder of the impact type.

While a microphone may be used, as indicated where 36 represents the microphones through the switch 1 to an amplifying relay 3! or the like which connects through the will be amplifier is required.

The relay 32 is described in my above-mentioned United States Patent No. 1,725,038. Briefly described for the purposes of the present application, it comprises a diaphragm 33 on which is mounted a conducting contact 34, which normally just makes contact with a second balanced contact 35, balanced very sensitively above the contact 34. While an excessive jar may not necessarily injure the instrument, nevertheless it is quite possible to give the balanced contact such a large amplitude of motion that it will not return to normal operating condition for an appreciable time. In this manner a series of false indications may be given for a considerable time.

On examination portance for good ments.

On the other hand, it will be noted that there a distinct advantage in employing an impact type of the diaphragm 33 used to produce the signal. mitter and receiver further acteristics not from a point of view of tuning, as is known in the prior art, but rather from the point of characteristic operation inasmuch as a single impulse is transmitted and a single pulse operates the receiver. This gives such a sharp both with regard to the transmitted signal and the received signal that the accuracy of measurement is very great.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination in a system for distance or depth measurement, impact means for transmitting compressional waves of an impact character comprising a diaphragm exposed to the medium in which the measurements are made, an impact element, means enclosing said impact element on one side of the diaphragm, means within said enclosure for causing the impact element to strike the diaphragm and means responsive to the impact signal produced by said impact element com- In fact, both transhave the same charment.

2. In combination in a system for distance or depth measurement, impact means for transmitting compressional waves of an impact character signal is received from the ROBERT LONGFELLOW .I 

